Nora Ephron "gravely ill," reports say

Nora Ephron visits SiriusXM's "The wowOwow Radio Show" on April 11, 2012, in New York.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Update: Writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron has died at age 71 (read the full story here).

Writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron is "gravely ill," according to reports published Tuesday.

Pictures: The films of Nora Ephron

Speculation about her death began when columnist Liz Smith published a post on her website eulogizing her friend, saying in part, "I won't say, 'Rest in peace, Nora' - I will just ask 'What the hell will we do without you?'"

A rep for Ephron's publisher, Knopf, told the New York Times that she is still alive. Deadline's Nikki Finke wrote that Ephron is "very ill," adding that sources say she has a form of leukemia.

TMZ reports that family members are telling friends that she is "gravely ill." The website added, "There is speculation that Nora has already passed away - we're told that's not true ... but there is little hope she will recover from her current condition."

Ephron, 71, wrote "When Harry Met Sally" and wrote and directed films including "Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail" and 2009's "Julie & Julia." She was nominated for three Academy Awards for screenwriting.